South Korea’s political landscape was further destabilized on Friday as lawmakers impeached acting president Han Duck-soo, marking the country’s second impeachment within two weeks. Han, who assumed the acting presidency on December 14 following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s suspension over a controversial martial law declaration, faced accusations from opposition MPs of obstructing justice. They claimed he delayed finalizing Yoon’s impeachment process and failed to appoint additional judges to the Constitutional Court, a key requirement for upholding the president’s suspension.
National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik announced that the motion to impeach Han was passed with all 192 votes in favor. However, the ruling People’s Power Party (PPP) strongly opposed the impeachment, arguing it required a two-thirds majority. PPP lawmakers abstained from voting, accusing the Speaker of procedural violations and demanding his resignation.
Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok has stepped in as the acting president and prime minister, pledging to stabilize the government and navigate the crisis. The ongoing political instability has had economic repercussions, with the South Korean won hitting a 16-year low against the US dollar and the KOSPI index dropping by 1.02 percent.
Central to the crisis is Han’s refusal to appoint three judges to the Constitutional Court, which remains understaffed. Opposition lawmakers criticized his inaction, claiming it jeopardizes the impeachment process. In response, Han maintained that judicial appointments require bipartisan cooperation.
The United States expressed its continued support for South Korea’s democratic institutions and affirmed its readiness to work with Acting President Choi to ensure stability. Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court held its first preliminary hearing on President Yoon’s impeachment as the nation waits for clarity amid the leadership crisis.
